Loading skip



H. R. MCDERMCIJTT 1,333,952

LOADING SKI P Filed May 7. 1928 Patented Dec. 29, 1931 min-L1) n.ircnnmvro'rr, or wA'rEnLoo, Iowa PA E FF CE LOADING SKIP H Applicationfiled May 7, 192a Serial No. 275,585.

This invention relatesto mixing machines and more partlcularly toimproved loading means therefor, although certain features thereof maybe employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of means for oscillatingthe loading skip to insure the complete discharge of the contentsto amixing instrumentality.

Mixers are used to completely 'commingle the materials constituting theingredients of a plastic substance usually termed concrete or mortar forconstructionpurposes. The ingredients ofthis plastic material whilein anunmixed stage will at times tend to cling to the interior surfaces ofthe skip, and with difficulty gravitatesto themixing receptacle.

This is especially characteristic of rich cement mixtures which leavesubstantial residue. The'retention thereof is highly undesirable, sincethe setting thereof is extremely injurious, in the sense that it hindersthe flow of materials. J i

Numerous contrivances have heretofore been proposed forcleansing-thecharging skips used in connection with concreteand mortar mixers, butthese areentirely too intricate and ineffective to insure completedischarge, and entail much labor in their operation to remove the entirecontents of each batch therefrom. The retention of materials in the skipor other portions of the mixer 7 permits the setting thereof, andconsequently precleterminedposition to effectithe total discharge ofmaterialstherefrom. i A further object islto provide means forcontrolling the position 'ofa skip, and'selec tivelyeffecting theautomatic oscillation thereof in apredetermined position of discharge; ip

A still further object is to provide means in the path of amaterialdischarging skip to effect the oscillation thereof in a predetermineclposition for insuring the complete discharge of the contents.

Still a further object isto provide means if for controlling theposition of a loading skip so as to effect the automatic descensionthereof to charging position. v

Other objects and advantages will appear from the-following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying features of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is aside viewin elevation device disclosed in Figure 1. r

The structure selectedfor illustration comprises any suitable frameincluding, in this instance, spaced standards 10 and 11 having ashaft';13 which is journalled therein for rotary movement in anydirection. A load ing skip 14 of conventional shape is provided with abracket 15 in proximity to the disof the' alignedbearings12 securedthereto to receive charge orifice 16 thereof to enable the rotation ofthe skip 14 with reference to the frame 10. Thebrackets 15 have a boreto receive the shaft 13 therethrough, thereby enabling the pivotalmovement of the skip lt to assume any desired inclination for effectingthe H re'ceptionjor dischargeof materials.

As shown,- the skip 14 is provided with an angularly related end portion17 Which terminates in an enlarged orifice18 for receiving materialstherein to effect the feeding thereof through the discharge orifice 16.to a mixing drum (not shown). A bumper bar 19 is disposed transverselyofthe standards 11f for resilient mounting in the path of the cha-rg ingorifice ,18 of the loading-skip lfilby virtue of rods 20. TherodsQO aresecured to the bar 19' for projection through-the standards 10 and 11,Spiral springs 21 envelope the rods 20 to exerti'a normal urge on thebumper bar 19 to limit the movement of the ski'p l i to assume itsdischarging position,"

In order to effect the elevation of the loading skip 14 to itsdischarging position, power means are provided to control the movementthereof. To this end, a shaft 22 is journalled in aligned bearings 23superposed above the bearings 12, the shaft 22 being disposed in spacedrelationwith the shaft Pulleys 24 are fixed to the shaft 22 beyond thest andards and 11 to receive a tension transmitting cord 25 which iswound thereon. The cord 25 contacts with theloading end 17 .of the skip14 for engagement with rollers 26 journalled on pins 27 fixed to thelateralivalls thereof. 7

The shaft 22 extends considerably beyond the standard 10 to receive apulley 28for rota- .tion in unison therewith. The pulley. 28: is

provided with a peripheral groove 29 which frictionally engages a belt30 which is driven by a pulley 31 fixed to a horizontalshaft32 iourn lin ny suitab i ee gs 9 shown). The shaft 32 terminates in disc clutch 33which cooperates with a complemental clutch element 34 carried by adriving shaft 85 connectedto anysuitable source of power (not shown) Theclutch element 34 is provided with a grooved collar 36 rigidly fixedtheretoto co- ..operate with furcations 37 constitut ng apart of an arm38. The arm SSis to al pertically disposed rod 39 which is journalled inspaced bearings 40 fixed to the frame in any .suitable manner.Intermittent movement of the rod39 in opposite directions will effectthe movement of the clutch element 34 to- .ward or from r the clutchelement 33 to e ifect tlieelevation or descension of theloading .sk p 14to s l t elvaes it dr ehar uie r chargi g P SmQn- T ro .3 i $91 tr lledby e e fi ed the et a theb e extremity 42 thereof. The lever. 41 ,has afurcated extremity 43 which receivesa pin 44 therethrough to pivotallyengage thejexeter i y of e h r onta ly d poeed ee eate ro 45- T e a t too -6 .5 121 the arti l ity 46 thereof pivoted to a lev erflfintermediate the ends thereof, the lever 47 being pivoted to a fixed lug48. The manual manipulation of the lever 47 operates the clutch element.34 to effect the elevation or descension ofthe skip 14 depending on theposition of the lever 47.

YVith the movement ofthe lever 47to as- .Lsume an extreme position igure-l.),,.the

clutchelement 34 engages the disc 33 to ef-' feet the driving of theshaft 22 vina counter clockwise direction (viewed from Eigure2) towindthe cord 25 on the pulleys 2 4, the re ;by elevating the loading skip,to itsdischarg ,ing position against the ,bumper barrlif) to ef--fectthe charging of the mixing drum (not shown) Means are provided to.effect therelease of the skip 14 upon the dis chargeofthe contentstherefrom. This is accomplished by a lever menace the engagement thereofduring its approach ofthe bumper 19. The skip in its movement imparts aturning couple to the arni 55 of the rod 49 which effects the retraction of the-rod 49 to cause the clutch element 34'to recede fromfrictional contact with the U disc- Thiseffects the release of the skipto enable. thegravitation thereof to,its charging or loading position.

The materials contained in the loading skip 14 are of a plastic natureowing to the ,commingling of cement, gravel, and water.

As a consequence, there is considerable adhesionbetweenthe material andthe walls of the skip. To avoid the retention of any por- .tion thereofwithin the skip, oscillatory movement is imparted thereto while in thedischarging range. To rthis end, a rod 56 slidably projects through abearing 57 secured-to a standard 58 constituting a part of the frame.The rod 56 is provided with a spiralspring 59 which envelopes Va portionthereof for confinementthereon by a lug (i0 fi QdtQ-th a tre i y h e As,a consequencathe spring59 urges the .rod 56 in anextreme pos tion and alug 61 v provided thereon engages the lever47 to norfmally naintain theclutch element 34 in operative engagement with its disc to elevate andmaintain the loading skip 14 in its discharging position. XVithitsarrival at the discharging position in contact with the bumper 19, thearm 55 is turned owing to the ,move nentofvthe skip 14 thereagainst toimpartcorresponding movement to the rod 49 for retracting the clutchoperating rod 45. This releases the driven shaft'32 from the drivingshaft 35, thereby causing the skip to descend momentarily. With thedescension of the skip, the spring 59retracts the rod 56 having the lug61 engagement with the lever 47 to restahlish thedriving connectionbetween the shafts35 and 32, thereby elevat- ,ingthe drum centact withthe bumper 19. As a consequence, .these instrumentalities function toautomatically oscillate the skip 14 until the contents are completelydischarged. Thereafter the lever 47 is disengaged from the lug'61 whichmay be adjustsecured to the rod 56 to vary the extent of oscillation.

movement to the skip 14 within the range of discharge, thereby looseningall the material to the extent of precluding the retention thereof owingto'their adhesive characteristics. Obviously, other expedients may beemployed to control the skipin that the release mechanism may beassociated with the bumper instrumentality 19 with a view ofaccomplishing the same result.

Various changes may be made in the em bodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described without departing from or sacrific- 7 ing any ofthe advantages thereof as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a loading skip, a frame, a shaft thereacross, askip upon said shaftand having a body to receive materials and a discharge spout, the'latternormally being upturned, a bumper bar, a spring support in said framefor said bumper bar, means for lifting said skip rotatably about saidshaft and to cause the material of the skip body to approach said bumperbar, a prime mover, a clutch intermediate said prime mover and saidlifting means, a manually controlled operating lever actuating saidclutch, a locking member for said lever and having resilient holdingmeans therefor and a release "lever in the'path of the spout of saidskipto retract said clutch operating lever.

HAROLD R. MoDERMOTT.

